Improvement in sanitary masks



P. H. FOSTER. Sanitary Mask.

No. 216,171. Pa'ented June 3,1879.

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WITNES SES i MPETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPMER. WASMNGTON. n c.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.,

PRINCE H. FOSTER, OF BABYLON, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN SANITARY MASKS.

`Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 216,171, dated June 3, 1879; application filed February 26, 1879.

To all whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, Pinnen H. Fosrnn, of Babylon, in the county oi' Suifolk and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Sanitary Masks, ot' which thefollowin g is a specification:

Figure l` is a perspective view ot' my improved mask, illustrating its use. Fig. 2 is a detail view of a portion of the inner side of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail section taken through the line .n Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail view ofthe extra filter. Fig. 5 is a cross section of the same, taken through the line y y,

Fig. 4.

rSimilar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts.

rlhe object ot' this invention is to furnish a mask to be worn in sick-rooms,.and in all other places where a person may be exposed to infected or malarial air, to prevent the con-` traction of disease from that eause.

The invention consists in a sanitary mask formed with valves and filters at the nose and mouth, and transl'iarent eye-plates, applied as hereinafter described.

A represents a mask, made ofl rubber'or other suitable material, and secured to the head of the wearer air-tight by an elastic edge or band.

A The mask A may be made of such a size as to cover the' entire face; or it may be made smaller, to cover only the mouth, nose, and eyes.

The mouth-opening is provided with one or more valves, B, open in g outward, for the escape of the expired air, and with an open-work holder, C, to receive a filter, D, o'sp onge or other porous material,for the passage of inspired air. One of the nose-openings is provided with a valve, B, opening outward, for the escape of expired air, and the other nose-opening is provided with an opeu'work holder, O, to receive a iilter, D, ot' sponge or other porous material, for the passage of inspired air.

The eye-openings are provided with trans parent plates E, of mica, glass, or other suitable substanee, to allow light to pass through freely and. exclude infection.

F is a case of gauze, which is made open at one edge to receive an inner pad or filter, G, of porous material, so that the said inner pad may be readily removed and exchanged or cleansed, as may be required. The filter F G also prevents the expired air from spreading through the space between the face and mask and being again, breathed. The filter F G is provided with loops, catches, or other suitable means for securing it to the inner side of the mask A over the mouth-opening.` y v The filters or pads D G may be medicated, it desired. rlhe filter F G should be made of such a size as to fully cover the mouth of the wearer.

With this device all the air that enters the lungs will be filtered and purified, so that there will be 'no danger of contracting disease in that way.

Having thus described my invention, l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The mask A, having outwardly opening valves B, a filter and holder, O D, transparent eye-plates E, and the gauze case F, having filter G, as shown and described.

. P. H. FOSTER.

Witnesses:

JAMES T. GRAHAM, C. Snnewrcir. 

